Gophers-Ohio State men's hockey game preview

TV, radio: Friday on BTN, Saturday on BTN Plus (stream); 1500-AM both nights

Gophers (14-13, 9-3 Big Ten): After a split at home last weekend with Penn State, the Gophers play at Ohio State, a team they have dominated in their all-time series (21-3-1) but which gave them trouble in December. The Gophers swept that series, winning two overtime games, 3-2 and 5-4 at Mariucci Arena. "I have always liked their team," Gophers coach Don Lucia said on his weekly radio show. "… They are a team on the rise." … Junior F and captain Justin Kloos has a nine-game points streak with single goals in eight of those games. Taylor Cammarata, reunited with Kloos on the same line last weekend, had a goal and two assists. "[Taylor] had his best weekend of the season," Lucia said. … With eight conference games left, the Gophers are tied for first place in the Big Ten with Michigan. … Lucia gave freshman goalie Eric Schierhorn a day off Monday; he has started all 27 games. He has a 2.51 goals-against average an a .915 save percentage.

Ohio State (8-14-2, 3-5-2-1): The Buckeyes were idle last weekend. They are coached by St. Paul native Steve Rohlek, a former Hill-Murray coach and Minnesota Duluth assistant. … David Gust leads Ohio State in assists with 18 and points with 14, fellow junior Nick Schilkey lead in goals with 13 and has 23 points. … Christian Frey has a 2.23 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He made 73 saves in the two OT losses to the Gophers. … "Two heartbreakers in back-to-back nights, it doesn't happen often," said forward Mason Jobst (8-14—22), second in points among Big Ten rookies. "But the great part of hockey — you get another chance to get back at them." … Four Buckeyes are from Minnesota: junior D Drew Brevig and freshman F John Wiitala played for Lakeville South while freshmen Tyler Nanne (Lou Nanne's grandson) and Miguel Fidler played for Edina.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ